Dumbing yourself down enough to be a Merck rep

[Anonymous]

I went to the Ombudsman with an issue I had with management that was pretty cut and dried. The Ombuds told me they had to talk to a lawyer...and then when I circled back with the Ombuds they acted very arrogant - kind of like a "you can't touch us, you don't have a case" All I wanted was a little justice, for a wrong that needed to be made right. Face it, unless you have taped recordings, videos, transcripts, etc and unless the case is blatant discrimination, you are probably toast.

The company is extremely unethical. I don't care what they say. And let me make something clear - they will stand behind crooked management and will never admit fault. Sucks but it's the way it goes.

 

[Anonymous]

Age discrimination. This was what an attorney told me when I explored this option. Hard to prove. Many discussions were not in black and white. Note how you share success stories by cell phone, not by voice mail as a way to avoid a record or so it cannot be subpoenaed. When you request the info from Merck during a lawsuit, materials can be shredded or withheld. He said this happens all the time with companies of any size. Merck has a large legal team and they can wear you down mentally and financially. Not that you should not try if you have a case. But beware it may take years.

If you have a real case they should provide a real solution. Thought law stood for justice. Justice does not deceive. It truth is withheld this is not justice.

 

[Anonymous]

Justice? You want justice and fairplay? Forget it. There is no one in companies or our justice system that gives one crap unless they can make a lot of money for their troubles. Seriously, HR and all these hotlines are B.S. They are not there FOR you. They are there to PROTECT the company and make it seem like the company cares, which they do not. I used think that hardwork was rewarded and being a good person too. You know what? No. In fact, you are better to be a total lying thieving, backstabbing asshole if you want to get ahead in THIS America. Nice guys really do finish last. Get out and work for yourself or turn into something you might hate or regret later on. Those are your only two choices left for survival unless you are a luck guy or gal that has been fortunate enough to fly under the radar and not ruffle any feathers. Funny thing, it is usually the feather rufflers that are the people who try, who go out and do their job. The under the radar types, they have learned how not to care. I can promise you they are sleeping late, golfing on company time, going to soccer practice at 4 pm and faking calls. But in front of management, they know exactly what to say and do. Life is not fair. Pure and simple. Get on anyone's bad side at these big companies and your life will be miserable at best.

 

[Anonymous]

Justice? You want justice and fairplay? Forget it. There is no one in companies or our justice system that gives one crap unless they can make a lot of money for their troubles. Seriously, HR and all these hotlines are B.S. They are not there FOR you. They are there to PROTECT the company and make it seem like the company cares, which they do not. I used think that hardwork was rewarded and being a good person too. You know what? No. In fact, you are better to be a total lying thieving, backstabbing asshole if you want to get ahead in THIS America. Nice guys really do finish last. Get out and work for yourself or turn into something you might hate or regret later on. Those are your only two choices left for survival unless you are a luck guy or gal that has been fortunate enough to fly under the radar and not ruffle any feathers. Funny thing, it is usually the feather rufflers that are the people who try, who go out and do their job. The under the radar types, they have learned how not to care. I can promise you they are sleeping late, golfing on company time, going to soccer practice at 4 pm and faking calls. But in front of management, they know exactly what to say and do. Life is not fair. Pure and simple. Get on anyone's bad side at these big companies and your life will be miserable at best.

Sounds like speak up and you're canned sort of justice. Let's hope you didn't mean this because if that's what you meant is is not good. Ruffling feathers or not, everyone has a right to speak up for themselves. More respect to those who are not willling to be tred upon. Sometimes you have no options but to ruffle a few feathers.

 

[Anonymous]

I went to the Ombudsman with an issue I had with management that was pretty cut and dried. The Ombuds told me they had to talk to a lawyer...and then when I circled back with the Ombuds they acted very arrogant - kind of like a "you can't touch us, you don't have a case" All I wanted was a little justice, for a wrong that needed to be made right. Face it, unless you have taped recordings, videos, transcripts, etc and unless the case is blatant discrimination, you are probably toast.

The company is extremely unethical. I don't care what they say. And let me make something clear - they will stand behind crooked management and will never admit fault. Sucks but it's the way it goes.

Some former colleagues have gone to the ethics hot line, HR partner, and the Ombudsman. They all pretty much came back with, "I feel your pain but the decision is up to your local sales management" type of non-committal answers. Remember who pay their salaries?

 

[Anonymous]

Some former colleagues have gone to the ethics hot line, HR partner, and the Ombudsman. They all pretty much came back with, "I feel your pain but the decision is up to your local sales management" type of non-committal answers. Remember who pay their salaries?

How many times does it have to be said that it's a total waste of time to go to managment, HR partner, or Ombudsman. Please, spare me. If you think you got the goods and want to pick a fight with mutha, you go get the best attorney you can find/afford. But you better have the goods on mutha so strong that she'll either settle with you and try to starve you out by using every legal stalling and delaying tactic there is so that you might be dead before you ever see the light of an award from your lawsuit. It's an ugly business.

 

[Anonymous]

If you have any leg to stand on (above 50, history of steady acceptable performance, long-term service), Merck is not going to go out of their way to risk you getting your nose out of joint enough to make it a legal battle. They have thousands of employees that they need to fire and cannot possibly fight through each and every one. They will make a settlement offer to you and as long as it is customary and usual (works by a formula and everyone is entitled to it) that is the best you will manage. Bets are that the layoffs will take effect after the first of next year because the plans (S-P or Merck) will be equalized to a least of both. Your manager is already making a list. The budget cycle is about under way, pencils get sharp, and you are a cost that must be justified. Ok, it is not quite the same meaning of valued employee that you heard when you were hired. Your leaving now represents savings to the company and bonus points to your management. Don't hesitate to discuss with your manager the fact that you are perfectly aware that layoffs are happening and are even likely but that you expect to be treated fairly in any dismissal or to be retained if your performance merits it. This is code that you are no so stupid that they can dis you with no consideration. If your company has a published severance policy - Merck and S-P are fully published - and they adhere to their rules and they treat everyone equally under the plan, almost nowhere in the US will you get relief from the courts that will net you more than that plan. If you get any hint that you are on the list, start looking while you wait. If your manager is foolish enough to offer you unfounded and false hopes, document whatever discussion led you to believe that you were immune from firing and confirm it with your manager. You will still get fired but if your case is at all complicated, it will possibly be delayed by a few months. Get a job lined up no matter who you are. Test the waters.

 

[Anonymous]

How many times does it have to be said that it's a total waste of time to go to management, HR partner, or Ombudsman. Please, spare me. If you think you got the goods and want to pick a fight with mutha, you go get the best attorney you can find/afford. But you better have the goods on mutha so strong that she'll either settle with you and try to starve you out by using every legal stalling and delaying tactic there is so that you might be dead before you ever see the light of an award from your lawsuit. It's an ugly business.

Quoting from an attorney that specialize in unlawful termination and discrimination...

You can never prove all Merck managers were told at a meeting to go forth and PIP all tenured/older reps. Proving a conversation happened is circumstantial and difficult. Large corporations shred documents all the time and you have to catch them doing it. If we are communicating by cell phone versus e-mail and voice mail to avoid a paper trail, don't you think the management is doing the same?

 

[Anonymous]

We have a manager who talks down about one rep to another rep. He'll insult good reps and
say things about them that are so untrue, tries to make them look dumb, all because he doesnt like them. This guy is a manager, its incredible. Anyone who would do this is so unethical.

 

[Anonymous]

Quoting from an attorney that specialize in unlawful termination and discrimination...

You can never prove all Merck managers were told at a meeting to go forth and PIP all tenured/older reps. Proving a conversation happened is circumstantial and difficult. Large corporations shred documents all the time and you have to catch them doing it. If we are communicating by cell phone versus e-mail and voice mail to avoid a paper trail, don't you think the management is doing the same?

"You can never prove all Merck managers were told at a meeting to go forth and PIP all tenured/older reps"............if this is true, it is positively egregious. To do this to good, solid, reliable workers should be unlawful. Ask around and it seems that this NCM is something that the majority of reps are unable to pass with high marks this early in the game. Very strange at all the former top talent who are now the bottom, talentless, dumb and dumbers.

 

[Anonymous]

Merck has been in a conflict within itself pitting the old guard who prided themselves on wanting to do the right thing, establish facts, and to let facts be facts against the new regime that has a business model that optimizes whatever Merck can get a way with in the name of good business sense. Obviously it is easier to show short term gains if one is willing to cash in on the goodwill that had been established with physicians and regulators. But the price to be paid comes with the long term. And guess what, it doesn't take a technical genius or a wealth of experience to grasp sufficiently enough the thin veneer or spin that is needed to puch a product. The new regime has won and the old guard is wasting its energy. It is the new business model exemplified by the former pride of pharmaceutical inventiveness having a lawyer as its top dog. Trust is just so old-fashioned these days.

 

[Anonymous]

MSD OUSA here! That is incredibly sad to hear guys! Hang in there.... I suggest do something worthwhile outside work just to keep ur sanity (volunteering, doing consultancy work, band gigs over the weekend etc) ... at least there's still something to look forward to after a crappy week....

 

[Anonymous]

We have a manager who talks down about one rep to another rep. He'll insult good reps and
say things about them that are so untrue, tries to make them look dumb, all because he doesnt like them. This guy is a manager, its incredible. Anyone who would do this is so unethical.

Some people should not be managers.